(11-02) 12:40 PDT San Francisco -- A man infamous among San Francisco renters for strong-arming tenants out of rent-controlled apartments owned by one of the city's most notorious landlords directed employees to donate to Mayor Ed Lee's election campaign, telling them they would be "reimbursed right away," according to an e-mail obtained by The Chronicle.

The district attorney's office is now "evaluating" the matter, its third probe into alleged wrongdoing by Lee's supporters.

Lee's campaign said it was the victim in the incident and was unaware of the apparent violation of state law, which prohibits donating in someone else's name or being reimbursed for a contribution. It's the second time Lee donors have come under scrutiny for alleged money laundering in the race.

"If this is true, then these people have perjured themselves," Lee campaign spokesman Tony Winnicker said when The Chronicle informed him about the donations. "They looked directly into the eyes of our campaign staff and lied, and they should be held accountable."

Lee's campaign produced documents in which the donors in question checked a box saying the donation was their own money.

Andrew Hawkins, the managing director of Archway Property Services who formerly worked as an eviction strongman for CitiApartments Inc., e-mailed 16 associates directing them to attend an Oct. 18 fundraiser for Lee that an Archway-affiliated company held in a Russian Hill apartment with commanding views of the bay.

"I expect each and every one of you to be at this event tonight," he wrote in all capital letters. "Bring your check books and write a check for $500.00 for Ed Lee donation. You will be reimbursed right away for you coming."

At least nine people - eight Archway employees and the spouse of someone who received Hawkins' e-mail - donated the $500 maximum allowed under city law at the event, campaign finance records show. One of those donors, who asked to remain anonymous because of fear of retaliation, said Archway employees were reimbursed for their contributions. The donor also provided The Chronicle a copy of a $500 reimbursement check from Archway. Another donor denied being reimbursed. Others did not return calls seeking comment.

Hawkins, who sent the e-mail under the name Dr. Andrew Hawkins-Cohen, donated $500 to Lee on Sept. 2, campaign finance records show.

Five Archway employees, including four who donated to Lee, also donated a combined $2,500 to Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting's mayoral campaign, documents show. Ting returned two of those donations Oct. 11 after they raised red flags internally, said Ting campaign manager Joshua Abeyta. A third check was returned at the donor's request because of financial difficulties.

Campaign may be 'victim'

Lee's campaign is returning $4,500 in checks to nine Archway employees or others on Hawkins' e-mail after The Chronicle informed it about questions regarding the donations. The check from another Archway contributor bounced. The campaign is also reimbursing an Archway employee $472 for providing valet services at the fundraiser.

Lee's campaign contacted the district attorney's office with the information and sent a letter to prosecutors Tuesday saying the campaign may "be the victim of a fraud."

District Attorney George Gascón is already conducting a criminal investigation into the earlier incident involving airport van drivers who were allegedly told by a supervisor they would be reimbursed for donating to Lee.

In addition, Gascón's office is probing potential voter fraud involving a group of Lee backers from an independent expenditure committee with ties to former Mayor Willie Brown, a Chronicle columnist, and Chinese Chamber of Commerce consultant Rose Pak.

A 'misunderstanding'

Hawkins called the money-laundering allegations "more of an internal misunderstanding." He said the e-mail "was written by one of my assistants" but wouldn't discuss details about it.

"Ed had no knowledge of this whatsoever," he said, referring to Lee, who is perceived as the preferred candidate for landlords.

The San Francisco Building Owners and Managers Association gave Lee its top endorsement in the race, and the San Francisco Apartment Association endorsed Lee, Supervisor David Chiu, and former Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier and Bevan Dufty.

Hawkins is well-known among the city's renters for his previous job as head of relocation for CitiApartments, which in 2008 owned more than 300 apartment buildings in the city, making it San Francisco's biggest landlord, run by the real estate mogul Frank Lembi.

Hawkins was one of the named defendants in a 2006 suit filed by tenants who cited a pattern of intimidation, harassment and abuse by CitiApartments.

Later that year, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, now running for mayor, also sued CitiApartments for illegal tactics designed to force tenants out of rent-controlled apartments so they could be rented at much higher market rates.

Former bouncer

A 2009 article in San Francisco Magazine described Hawkins as a "burly former nightclub bouncer" who was hired by CitiApartments in 2000 on a handshake deal.

"We have an understanding," Hawkins told lawyers in a deposition, according to the magazine. "I don't like contracts because I don't like being told what to do. I don't do well with that."

According to the magazine, Hawkins and his team of men relocated more than 2,500 tenants.

Hawkins - who now appears to go by Andrew Cohen-Hawkins or Andrew Hawkins-Cohen and sometimes refers to himself as a doctor - is registered with the state as a "guard/patrolperson." He has a permit to carry a baton and until September had a permit to carry a firearm.

In lawsuits and in online apartment reviews, tenants of CitiApartments described Hawkins as a thug who would often enter apartment buildings late at night carrying a gun and wearing combat fatigues.

Hawkins called such descriptions of him simply untrue and an "urban myth," adding that he volunteers to help the homeless.

Settlement with city

Herrera earlier this year announced a settlement with CitiApartments worth up to $10 million to the city depending on the ailing company's future worth and whether the Lembis permanently quit property management in the city. Separate lawsuits filed by tenants, including at least one that named Hawkins as a defendant, were settled confidentially.

The Russian Hill fundraiser, with about 50 attendees, was hosted by Yat-Pang Au, CEO and founder of Veritas Investments, a real estate firm that paid $55 million earlier this year for eight Lembi properties including 346 apartments. Some of the properties are managed by Archway Property Services, and public records link Au to AEC Alarm Corp.

Au and employees of Veritas or AEC donated a combined $2,500 to Lee and $2,000 to Ting in the race, records show. Au did not return calls seeking comment.